Plan your Thanksgiving shopping carefully. These grocery stores won’t be open in RI

Have you ever started to cook an elaborate dinner only to realize you forgot to purchase an important ingredient from the grocery store? It happens to the best of us.

If you need to make a last-minute cranberry sauce run on Thanksgiving, you might find it difficult to locate an open store.

In accordance with state law, Rhode Island grocery stores cannot legally open on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, this year.

And, while smaller convenience stores are technically allowed to open, some might still opt to close in observance of the holiday. You should check a shop’s hours or call ahead before heading over.

Here’s what to know about Rhode Island grocery stores on Thanksgiving.

Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in RI?

In Rhode Island, grocery stores are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving, as it is a restricted holiday under state law.

That means that stores like Aldi, Stop & Shop, Market Basket, Trader Joe’s, Price Rite, Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, and Whole Foods will all be closed on Nov. 27 this year.

Liquor stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving.

Why aren’t Rhode Island grocery stores open on Thanksgiving?

Grocery stores in Rhode Island are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day in accordance with state law.

Food stores that employ more than six workers per shift at any location must close on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, per the RI Department of Labor and Training Workforce Regulation and Safety Division.

Which businesses are allowed to open on Thanksgiving? Convenience stores?

Some businesses, like gas stations, restaurants, and pharmacies, are allowed to open on Thanksgiving.

You also might be able to grab a couple of groceries from a small convenience store. In Rhode Island, food stores that don’t have more than six employees working at one time can open on Thanksgiving.

However, many shops still close on certain holidays to give employees time with their families. It’s best to call ahead and check.

Melina Khan of USA TODAY and Margie Cullen of the USA Today Network contributed to this report.